Swedish industry news media Svensk Verkstad features Hagaberg’s continued production development through automation. I artikeln berättar vi bland annat om vår nya robotcell och hur automationen gör det möjligt att använda vår specialistkompetens där den behövs som mest.
Swedish article at Svensk Verkstad >>
When automation frees up expertise for the next step
With an advanced robotic welding cell, specialist expertise and new business opportunities, Hagaberg Industrier is taking its next step forward.
As part of its continued growth, Hagaberg has taken the next step in developing its production capabilities through one of its largest investments to date – an advanced robotic welding cell. The investment combines increased capacity with automation while creating new opportunities to further develop the company’s offering.
Installed at the beginning of the year, the robotic cell consists of three robots: one welding robot and two handling robots that prepare and position the components. An important part of the solution is the so-called jiggless concept, where the robots hold and position the components directly instead of fixing them in traditional positioners. This provides a high degree of flexibility and makes it possible to handle a very large number of welding positions.
Fork positioners have been at the core of Hagaberg’s business since the company was founded. Today, the company develops and manufactures a wide range of fork positioners for forklifts, from smaller models to solutions for forklift trucks with lifting capacities of up to 25 tonnes.
Once the robotic cell is fully implemented, the goal is to automate around 85 percent of today’s manual welding. For Hagaberg, however, automation does not make human expertise less important – quite the opposite.
– We want to retain all our welders and make the most of the expertise they have. The robotic cell allows us to use that expertise where it is needed most, says Magnus Larsson, CEO of Hagaberg Industrier.
This includes larger fork positioners as well as more complex and customised solutions, where flexibility and craftsmanship are essential. Hagaberg also offers modifications of forklift masts attachments to improve visibility and functionality. Each project can require a combination of engineering, welding and adaptation to the specific forklift and application.
By automating repetitive tasks, Hagaberg can increase its capacity in standardised production while giving its experienced employees more opportunity to focus on complex assignments.
The robotic cell is therefore not simply a way to increase production. It is also a tool for strengthening Hagaberg’s position and creating new opportunities for the future. With this modernisation of its production, the company is better equipped to respond to changing needs – whether for standard products or advanced customised solutions.
This development can also be seen beyond Hagaberg’s own production. Under the Vaggeryd Equipment brand, Hagaberg has launched an e-commerce business offering attachments and accessories for handling with forklift forks. The range includes products manufactured in Sweden and Germany, complementing Hagaberg’s own production.
– Through Vaggeryd Equipment, we want to offer our customers a wider range of products while also reaching new customer groups. This can include companies looking for individual attachments or accessories, as well as our existing forklift customers who want to offer their end customers a more complete solution, says Magnus Larsson.
E-commerce is a new addition to Hagaberg’s product offering, and the range will gradually be expanded. Together with automation and the company’s existing specialist expertise, this creates more opportunities to meet different needs in the market.
For Hagaberg, development is therefore about more than increasing production volumes. It is about building a business with both high capacity and high flexibility – where automation, technical expertise and new business models can complement each other.
